Multispindle tapper



Nov. 8, 1932. A. J. GIFFORD 1,887,091

MULTISPINDLE TAPPER Filed Dec. 16, 1930 3 Sheets-$hest 1 NOV. 8, A, J F'Q D 1,887,091

' MULTISPINDLE TAPPER Filed Dec.- 16, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheau 2 I/ /l// /////V Patented Nov. 8, 1932,

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE ALBERT J. GIFFORD, F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS ASSIGNOR TOLEL ANiD-GIFFORD COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS,A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS MULTISPINDLE TAPPER Application filed December 16,-1 930." Seria1 No. 502,746. g

This invention relates to a tapping machine having a plurality of spindles, each for receiving a tap.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means for supporting the plurality of tapping spindles in such a way that they can be geared together so that all of them will be operated from a central spindle'and at the same time retaining the feature of single spindle tapping machines by which the pressing of the tap against the work will connect the spindle with asource of power; to provide a frictional drive for the central spindle without sacrificing the reverse gearing and to provide a head supporting the several tapping spindles which will be capable of sliding up and down on the frame without displacing the drive in any way.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a multiple tapping machine constructed in accordance with this invention Fig. 2 is a diametrical sectional view of the tapping head and associated parts;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4'l of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the broken line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the device.

This machine is of the type in which a frame 10 has a gooseneck, not shown, and a motor on the top of the gooseneck, not shown. This motor drives a shaft 11 which passes down through the quill 9 into the driving box 12. These parts are supported by a slide 13 which is adapted to be moved up and down vertical ways 14 on the frame 10 and of course clamped in position thereon. This slide 13 is provided with the usual operating rod or handle 15 which is provided with a pinion 16 meshing with a rack 17 formed on the quill for moving. it up and down.

The quill is connected with a drive box 12 and is provided with a bearing 18 for the shaft 11 which extends down through it into a frictional internally conical clutch section 20 to which it is fixed. I There is an opposite friction clutch section 21, these two sections being spaced apart to receive a double conical member 22 on the central tapping spindle 23. Reverse gearing 24 is shown connecting this spindle with the shaft 11 and is of the usual construction. The spindle has bearings 25 in the box 12. A casing 26,which is fixed to the boX 12, is of a hollow cylindrical form having a guideway 28 arranged vertically. Of course, the spindle 23 passes down through this casing 26 and is provided with anti-friction bearings 29 in a head 30 therein. This head has a vertical key sliding in the guideway 28.

The head isprovided with a series of cylindrical holes or openings 31 of different sizes, partly for the purpose of reducing the weight of this block, and also the central one for receiving the bearings 29 and the spindle 23. One of the other openings 31 also sup ports bearings and a spindle 34 which is of course eccentrically arranged. This spindle is geared by gears 35 to the spindle 23 and when the central gear rotates the side spindle 34 also will rotate. There may be more than one of these side spindles in'the other openings 31 or special openings can be bored to receive them.

In the use of the device, the whole device comprising the parts 12, 26, etc. with the spindles turning can be moved downwardly in any of the usual ways so that the taps 36, or at least the central one, will come into contact with the work. This results in the raising of the spindle 23 relatively to the frame of the casings 12 and 26 and the forcing of the double conical member 22 up into the cone 20 so that the spindles will be rotated in a proper direction to enable the taps to enter the work. Of course, after the first thread is made, the taps will follow along into the work. When the tapping has proceeded far enough the handle bar 15 is turned to move the casings 12 and 26 upwardly, thus causing the double conical member 22 to leave the cone 20 and enter the cone 21. This causes the spindle 23 and also the spindles 3.4 to rotate in the reverse direction to bring the taps up out of the work.

The head 30 normally is held up in neutral position by a spring 39 located inone of the openings 31. This head constitutes a sepa rate unit which can be assembled outside. It is balanced by the spring to keep it in a neutral position, when not tapping and allow it to float easily. This is particularly valuable when using heavy taps.

This constitutes a very simple means for permitting of the tapping of a plurality of holes simultaneously. On account of the frictional drive the chance of the tapped hole being ruined on reversal is eliminated because the drive can slip. On account of the slipping clutch combined with the handle control,

. the multiple taps are always within the hand control of the operator. It the taps stick he can back out the taps a little with the handle and then bring them down again. The upper part of the device can be made in the usual manner and the lower part consists of the portions within the casing 26. Therefore the additional mechanism to provide for multiple tapping spindles necessitates comparatively little expense.

Although I have illustrated and described only one form of the invention, I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited in this respect but what I do claim is 2- 1. In a tapping machine, the combination with a tapping spindle and means for rotat ing it, of a driving box containing a part of said means, a casing carried by the box, a head in the casing movable axially, said head having openings therethrough including a central one for said spindle, a side spindle fixedly mounted on the head in one of the other openings and gearing in the casing and on the head for driving the side spindle from the first named spindle.

2. In a tapping machine, the combination with a driving box, a casing below the box, and a tapping spindle, of reversing gearing in said box for driving the spindle, a friction clutch in the box for connecting the spindle to rotate in either direction, a sliding and floating head in the casing in which said spindle rotates, a second tapping spindle rotatable by the first one and fixedly carried bysaid head, and means on the head and in the casing for driving the second spindle from the first one.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aifixed my signature.

ALBERT J. GIFFORD. 

